For nearly 30 years, Hart Voluntary Action has been the local infrastructure charity (LIO) supporting the wider voluntary and community sector in Hart District. Working in partnership with the local authority they were set up to provide support to our local voluntary and community sector organisations in the district.
Like other local infrastructure organisations, this support offer consists of volunteer brokerage through the Hart Volunteer Centre (on average they help match 200 individuals with volunteering roles each year), guidance and support in running a community organisation, and promotion of what their community organisations do. They are particularly proud of their online “Here for Hart” Directory one example of how they also act as a link between the voluntary and community sector and the public sector.
Less typically for an LIO, Hart Voluntary Action also has a track record of developing and running community-facing services to meet gaps in local provision. They offer free to access counselling services for young people, adults and family groups, and linked to that they have developed a counsellor training and student counsellor development programme. They run the local Health Walks programme and Hart’s Community Garden to help people stay physically active and socially connected. The Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers service was transferred to them after the closure of Hampshire Youth Services, and has grown significantly since then, and they expect to engage with 200 young carers this year. Most recently, they opened the Hart Eco Hub in their local shopping centre in Fleet to promote community activity to address climate change, and to encourage residents to look at ways to get involved in reducing their own carbon footprint. Underpinning these activities is a very small staff team (nearly all part-time) and a team of 90 volunteers.
- Over a year, their weekly programme of 7 health walks will cover around 875 miles!
- Their volunteers carried out 153 visits to take thermal images of Hart residents’ homes during the 25-26 winter months, to help them identify ways to increase energy efficiency. Their volunteers will be back for another winter season.
- Their community garden expects to donate 200 kilos of produce to their two community pantries this year.
- Hart Volunteer Centre will handle around 650 volunteer enquiries each year.
- They expect to offer 3000 counselling sessions in 2026.
What their volunteers say
From one of their health walkers – When losing my husband, over a year ago, the doctor told me about Hart Health Walks. As my husband and I did lots of walking as a hobby, it was just wonderful to be able to continue to walk once again, as I would not have gone walking on my own. The flexibility of the walks, the different areas and varying walks are amazing. Leaders and back markers all do a grand job. Thank you to all the volunteers
From one of their community garden members – Hart’s Community Garden has become a really important part of my week. I can focus on making it look good; I enjoy spending time with lovely, supportive people and chatting about anything and everything
Upcoming events
Saturday 11 July (12:00-15.00) – Hart’s Community Garden Summer Fete – a chance to enjoy their community garden in Edenbrook Country Park, Fleet, and buy plants, crafts and home-made cakes.
Saturday 18 July (10:00-14:30) – Sewing for Sustainability Workshop run by Hampshire Libraries. This workshop is designed to build participants’ confidence in using sewing as a practical tool for sustainable living.
Monday 30 July (19:00–20:30 every fortnight) Menopause Support Group facilitated by one of their counsellors offering 10 structured peer support groups for women going through perimenopause or the menopause. At the Royal Oak Wellbeing Hub in Yateley. £40 for all 10 sessions.
What’s next?
From September 2026 they are offering training courses for counsellors – 2 of their accredited courses will be repeated – Level 5 Counselling Adolescents Diploma (online), Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision (in-person), and they are pleased to be offering their new course aimed at qualified counsellors who would like to offer counselling to family groups – Level 5 Family Counselling. Where required, they can offer counselling placements to meet the course requirements. They are particularly keen to offer this training to counsellors working in community settings in Hampshire / Hampshire borders.
